Table with rotatable compartment



June 7, 1955 E. F. CHASE TABLE WITH ROTATABLE COMPARTMENT Filed Feb. 20, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 7, 1955 E. F. CHASE 2,710,242

TABLE WITH ROTATABLE COMPARTMENT Filed Feb. 20,'1951 2 sheets-sheet .2

United States Patent O TABLE WI'IH ROTATABLE COMPARTMENT Eugene Francis Chase, San Francisco, Calif.

Application February 20, 1951, Serial No. 211,870

6 claims. (c1.31z3z9) i The object of my invention is to provide a combination dining, work and storage table with a novel, or unique, storage arrangement. The storage arrangement, as will be seen from the drawings, consists of rotary compartments rotatable on a vertical axis at corners of the table. A further novel part of my invention rests in the bearing unit which I use to allow for rotation ofthe storage compartments; it consists of a loose, pin-type, conical-ended, hardened steel roller bearing the opposite ends of which are revolvable in sockets drilled in at corner irons and flat metal plates, said sockets extending into round housings which are end-welded onto the bottoms of said flat corner irons and tlat metal plates; said sockets being drilled so as to insure a snug t between the exterior surface of said roller bearing and.

the interior surface of said socket.

In this invention the construction material I had in mind is wood, but the idea and advantages of the invention can be realized regardless of the material used.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. l is a side View of the table showing the rotary compartments 1 and 2 closed. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the table with both compartments in a closed position, also showing compartment 2 in an open position. Fig. 3 is an end View of the table, again with both compartments closed. Fig. 4 is a perspective View of one of the at corner irons 11 with the round housing 12 fabricated in placez., Fig. 5 is a top view of one of the plates 13 with theround housing 12 fabricated in place. Fig. 6 is a side view of one of the plates 13 in an inverted positionas it would be positioned in the top 3 of the table. Fig. 7 is a side viewof the conical-ended roller bearing 17. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the rotary compartments. Fig. 9 includes a side View of an ordinary bullet catch 9 with a hardened steel ball in its head and Fig. 9a is a top view of what is known as a recessed, or Phillips, oval head screw 10.

The table comprises a top 3, an uprightmember 5, a`

bottom member 7, a narrow upright member 6, two short legs 14 and one long leg 4. The members 3, 5, 6 and 7 cooperate to form a framework to contain the rotary compartments 1 and 2. The members 5 and 7, as will be noted from Figs. 2 and 3, extend laterally across the table so that their vertical edges are flush with the outside walls of the rotary compartments when said compartments are closed. The narrow upright member 6 and the edge of the bottom member 7 at the end of the table are also flush with the outside walls of the rotary` compartments when said compartments are closed. The.. two short legs 14 are simplyinverted four-sided pyramid'sj with their top points cut off. rThe single leg 4 is used at one end of the table in view of the counter-balancing effect of the storage compartments and their contents` at the opposite end; the single leg construction makes it easier to sit down to the table, and to walk around and clean around the table, and the table will set better on an uneven floor; of course, rnore conventional supports could be used instead of the single leg.

' ice The at corner irons 11 are used at the tops and bottoms of the rotary compartments as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 8; the bottom sides (by the bottoms of both the corner irons 11 and the plates 13 I mean the side opposite of Where the countersink 16 shows) are faced inward so that the housing 12 extends into a hole previously bored in the wall of the compartment at the corner thereof. The walls of the compartments at their corners are cut away suciently so as to allow the top surfaces of the corner irons to set ush with the balance of the compartment wall. The corner irons serve several purposes: (l)

v the top surfaces of the plates 13 and the corner irons'lly They bear part of the bearing structure; (2) by reason of the four screws 19 entering the walls of the compartment, they secure the bearing structure in place, cooperating with the plates 13 in so doing; (3) they strengthen the compartment at the corner; (4) they spread any thrust load over the entire width of the wall of the compartment and away from the pivot point.

The straight metal plates 13, of which there are two for each compartment as shown in Fig. l, are mounted above and below said compartment-one is mounted in the top 3 so that the housing 12 protrudes into the t'op, and the other is mounted in the bottom 7 so that the housing 12 protrudes into said bottom. It is important that the center lines of the sockets 15 in the housings 12 line up from top to bottom; this is taken carerof by accurate fabrication of the housings 12 onto the corner irons 11 and the plates 13, by accurate drilling of the sockets 15, by accurate boring of the holes in the. corners of the compartment, top3 and bottom member 7fto-receive the housings 12, and .by accurate mountingof the corner irons 11 and the plates 13. It will be noted from Fig. 2 that the plates 13 are directed inward, at an angle to both the sides and end of the table, so as to be out of sight.

It wil be noted from Figs. 4 and 6 that the bottoms of the sockets 15 have the same angle or bevel as the ends of the pivot pin 17; this aids longevity and smooth operation and also provides the maximum bearing surface with relation to the diameter of the roller bearing so as to more adequately sustain radial and thrust loads. Some sort of suitable lubricant, graphite, or grease with a high degree of cohesiveness, is inserted intothe sockets 15 before the roller bearings 17 are finally installed/therein; in View of the closet between the' exterior surface of the roller bearing 17 and 'the interior-surface of the socket 15 the lubricant is virtually locked in and long life lubrication is thus provided for.

The sockets 15 in all of the housings 12'are drilled to such a depth as to allow a small, set clearance between when the roller bearing 17, which is of a predetermined length, is inserted into the sockets.

For each rotary compartment two bullet type catches 9 are provided-one in the upright member 7 as shown in Figs. l and 3 and the other at the same level in the upright member 6 as shown in Fig. 3; they cooperate to hold the compartment in a closed position, and each one serves to hold the compartment in an open position when said compartment is rotated in either direction through an arc of ninety degrees. Of co'urse, each compartment can be rotated through the complete three hundred and sixty (360) degree circle. T he strike vI use for these bullet catches is the head of a large (#14) recessed (Phillips), oval head sheet metal screw 16 which has quite a large opening in its center to receive the head of the bullet` catch, and being a sheet metal screw, it is hardened, which makes for long life. Of course, a more conventional type of strike` could be used.

The knobs 20, of which there are two for each com- 3 partment, allow for push or pull rotation of the compartmentfromthe side or end of the table.

As shown in the drawings there are three shelves 8 in each rotary compartment; naturally, a greater -or lesser number of shelves could "be used, .Each shelf is provided with a thin edging 18 to keep articles -rom falling off as the compartment is rotated. Compartmcnts vfor cutlery and other .kitchen utensils could 'be fabricated onto the shelves 8; on the-inside wall of .upright member hooks could'be installed to accommodate pots and pans in the otherwise wasted space between the compartments 1 and 2; a horizontal towel rack could be installed on the outside wall of -upright member 5 nearthe top of same.

Another method of using the roller`bearing 'li' for .rotation ofthecompartrnents and 2 would'beto drilland countersink the corncrirons '1l and the plates I3 at the same points as shown for 'end-welding of the studs l2; these co'untersunk 'holes would receivellat head screw-s which would be drilled in their centers to receive the roller bearing 17 in the same manner as the drilled housings 12. Still another Vmethod would be to use 'thick corner irons and plates which could 'be drilled to a sufficient depth to accommodate opposite ends of the roller bearing. Another method of allowing for rotation would be'to use a ball bearing in combination with thick corner irons and plates wherein said irons and plates would be reamed out to accommodate opposite sides'of the ball bearing.

Obviously, my bearing unit could be used .in many instances where a structure is rotatable relative to an adjacent structure.

Various methods of v:fastening the'several parts of the table 'together v'and of 'strengthening'the joints of thetable are wellv known inthe art Vand'need `notbe gone into here.

Obviously, roller bearings with at, rounded or other shaped ends could be used instead of' those with the conical ends, although not with the same advantages. Also, the corner irons -11 could be used instead of the plates 13.

While Ihave shown but one vembodiment o-myinventionit is to beunderstood thatit'isto be taken -asillustrative only and not in a limiting sense. Changes-in dctailsof construction and in theI combination and arrangement of parts may be availed of within the spiritfand scope of theinvention as `defined in the hercuntoap" pended claims.

vrI claim:

1. A substantially krectangular table having spaced upper and lower horizontal .partsand'includ'mg at least one compartment .rotatable on a vertical 'axis between said horizontal parts, said axis being substantially :at a corner of said table, said compartment having two side walls forming a rright angle; a tirst'pairof .adjacent'hous ings, one oftheipair located on said upperrhorizontalpart and theA other on the top extremity of saidcompartment; a second pair of adjacent housings, onerof the second pairlocated on the lower extremity of said compartment and the other on said lower horizontal part,each pair of housings having oppositcly disposed sockets, Vall of said sockets being in vertical alignment, .a pivot pinextending into ythe .oppositely disposed sockets and being rotatable therein, said sockets being so constructed so as to receive said .pins in a snug manner and only to such depth so as to provide la predetermined clearance be tweenY the saidopposedpairs of housings and provide a predetermined clearance between the .said topand bottom extremities of said compartmentand said horizontal parts .so yas to Ythereby :allowisaid compartment to he rotatable through a complete circle.

Y2. Astructure havingspaced upper and lower substantially horizontal parts and including at :least Vone compartment Arotatable on a substantially vertical axis between said horizontal parts; a first pair of adjacent housings, one of .thepair-located on said uppelhorizontal part and the other on the top extremity of said compartment; asecond pair 'of 'adjacent housings, one 'of the second pair located on ithe lower extremity of said compartment and the other on the said lower horizontal part, each pair of housings having oppositely disposed sockets, all of said sockets being in vertical alignment, a pivot pin extending into the oppositely disposed sockets and being rotatable therein, 1the said sockets being so constructed -so .as toreccive said pins in a snug manner and only to such depth so as to provide a predetermined clearance between thesaidopposed pairs .of housings and providea predetermined'clearance between the said top and bottom extremities of said compartment and said horizontal parts sota-s toithereby allow ysaid compartment to be rotatable through a complete circle.

3. ln a rotatable structure, said structure being rotatable between two relatively stationary members, two pivotpins, each of saidpins being provided with opposed conical ends and a cylindricaltportion extending between said ends; a rsttpair of `adjacent housings, one of said housings being located on said rotatable structure `and the other on one of said stationary members; a second pair o'f adjacent housings,one of said second pair being located onsaid rotatable structure and the other on the other of said stationarymembers, each pair of housings having oppositely disposed sockets, rall of said sockets being in alignment, the bottoms of all of said sockets being shaped to fit'theangle of bevel of the said opposed conical ends of saidjpivot Vpins so as to thereby provide bearing surfaces for the said conical ends, all of said sockets beinground and similar in diameter to the said cylindrical portionsof saidpins so as to receive'saidrpins in a snug mannerbu't yetallow said pins to be rotatable il O insaid socketseach of'said sockets being so constructed so as to .receive said pins only to such depth so as to provide for predetermined clearances between said opposed Vpairs of housings and between said structure and said members so as to thereby allow said structure to be rotatable through a complete circle.

4. A structure having spaced upper and lower rela tively stationary `parts and including `at least one 'compartment rotatable .on .a substantially vertical axis .between said stationary parts; .a rst pair of adjacent housings, one of thepair located on said upper stationary part and the other' on a top extremity of said compartment; 'a second pair `of adjacent housings, .one of the second pair located on a lower extremity of said compartment and the other on said lower stationary part, 'each pair of housings 'having oppositely disposed sockets, all of said sockets being substantially in vertical alignment, Va pivot pin extending into the oppositely disposed sockets and being rotatable therein, said sockets being so constructed so 'as to'receiveLsaid pins in 'such manner that'there'is a snug'it between side surfaces of said pins and said sockets, said sockets of said second pair of adjacent housings being so constructed Yso vas to receive vsaid Ypin associated therewith only to'such depth so as'to provide for predetermined clearances between said second pair of adjacenthousings and between the said lower extremity of said compartment and said lower stationary part so as to thereby `allow said compartment to be rotatable through a'complete circle.

5. A structure khaving spaced upper and lower Arelatively stationary' parts and including a structure rotatable on `asubstantially vertical axis between said stationary parts; 'ahrst pair of -adjacent housings, one of the pair locatedon said upper stationary part and the other on a top extremity 'of 'said rotatable structure; a second pair of adjacent housings, one of the second pair located on a lower extremity of said rotatable structure and the other on said'lower stationary part, cach pair ot housings having oppositely disposed sockets, all of said sockets being-substantially in vertical alignment, a pivot pin'extcnding into the oppositely ldisposed sockets and being rotatable therein, saidV sockets being so constructed so as to receive said pins in a snug manner and only to such depth so as to provide predetermined clearances between the said opposed pairs of housings and between the said top and bottom extremities of said rotatable structure and said stationary parts so as to thereby allow said rotatable structure to be rotatable through a complete circle, the pivot pin associated with the oppositely disposed sockets in said first pair of housings being provided with opposed conical ends and a cylindrical portion extending between said opposed conical ends, the bottoms of the sockets in said first pair of housings being shaped to fit the angle of bevel of the said opposed conical ends of said pivot pin so as to thereby provide bearing surfaces for the said conical ends, said sockets in said first pair of housings being round and similar in diameter to the said cylindrical portions of said pins so as to receive said pins in a snug manner but yet allow said pins to be rotatable in said sockets.

6, A structure having spaced upper and lower relatively stationary parts and including at least one comment; a second pair of adjacent sockets, one of the second pair located on a lower extremity of said compartment and the other on said lower stationary part, all of said sockets being substantially in vertical alignment, a pivot pin extending into each pair of oppositely disposed sockets and being rotatable therein, said sockets being so constructed so as to receive said pins in such manner that there is a snug fit between side surfaces of said pins and said sockets, said second pair of sockets being so constructed so as to receive said pin associated therewith only to such depth so as to provide for predetermined clearances between said second pair of sockets and between said lower extremity of said compartment and said lower stationary part so as to thereby allow said compartment to be rotatable through a complete circle.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 241,123 Danner May 10, 1881 449,657 Andross Apr. 7, 1891 496,057 Hubbell Apr. 25, 1893 569,367 Wood Oct. 13, 1896 656,062 Van Kannel Aug. 14, 1900 736,728 Hockman Aug. 18, 1903 863,128 Aebi Aug. 13, 1907 1,116,484 Ralph Nov. 10, 1914 1,237,009 Yaw Aug. 14, 1917 1,400,643 Van Dyke Dec. 20, 1921 1,688,456 Dolph Oct. 23, 1928 2,153,682 Vlcek Apr. 11, 1939 2,443,515 Rockwell June 15, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 342,001 Great Britain Ian. 29, 1931 

